Plier-type snap fastener applier

ABSTRACT

A plier-like snap fastener applier includes an integrally molded turntable to hold eyelet heads of various shapes and includes integral resilient arms to hold the heads firmly.

Dec. 2, 1975 United States Patent [1 1 Kruger I5 PLlER-TYPE SNAP FASTENER APPLIER 3.145388 8/1964 Carpinellu....... [75] Inventor: James Brompton Kruger, Oxford, 5/1966 Lepigc Ct 11 Conn.

[73] Assignee: Scovill Manufacturing Company, Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr.

Waterbury. Conn. Attorney. Agent, or FirmDallett Hoopes Jan. 13, 1975 Appl. No.: 540,520

[22] Filed:

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[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 PLIER-TYPE SNAP FASTENER APPLIER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a plier-like snap fastener applier by which metal snap fasteners may be applied to fabric or the like without use of additional tools.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the prior art, it is known to apply snap fasteners to fabric by means of a plier-like tool. An example is shown in the LePage et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,250,450 assigned to my assignee. That device, while meritorious, finds use primarily in the application of lightweight snap fasteners and is not designed for heavy duty operation.

One of the problems in applying various shaped heavy duty snap fasteners is that the turntable means which has selectively supported snap fastener parts such as the cap and post has comprised a plurality of parts complicating its manufacture and assembly. Additionally, the gripping of the heavier parts by the turntable has been subject to insecurity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Under the present invention, a hand tool is provided whereby even heavy duty snap fasteners may be applied by hand to fabric with a minimum of strength and effort. The structure includes an integral pivotable turntable adapted to hold securely a cap or post selectively of a snap fastener assembly. The turntable comprises an integrally molded body having a central raised portion from which a pair of arms go out toward either side of the body, the arms being resilient and each arm is co-arcuate with the other arm of its pair respectively so that the pairs are adapted to embrace the fastener part therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and objects of the invention will be apparent from a study of the following specification, including the drawings, all of which disclose a nonlimiting embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view looking down on the turntable shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more specifically to the drawings, an applier embodying the invention is generally designated between the jaw portion surrounding the opening and a press-on washer 28.

As shown in FIG. 1, the jaw portion of the unit 14 is formed with aligned openings 30 on either side of the shaft 24, and the turnable 22 has depending nibs 32 which fit into the openings 30 to properly align the turntable fastener part-holding portions with the punch, in the manner of the above-described LePage et al patent. The upper surface of the turntable is formed with a pair of recesses 34 and 36 for holding the heads of eyelets of the post P and cap C members (dotted lines) respectively. Thus, in its two selectable positions whereat the nibs are received into the openings 30, either a cap C or a post P selectively will be held in alignment with the punch 18.

Fitting compressively about the mounting flange 20 (FIG. 1) of the punch is an annular resilient snap fastener part holder 38 for holding a socket S element, as shown in FIG. 1. The socket S element is readily pressed down into the opening surrounding the punch 18. In the case of the setting of a head, a second annular holder (not shown) fits into the first holder 38 to accommodate compressively the circumference of the head.

The punch includes a pyramidal working end which is surrounded by an annular trough 44. Preferably, the pyramid is of six sides, the junctures of which have sharp edges for slitting eyelets uniformly. The configuration of the punch is such that the surfaces meet at the apex in an angle of 86 but any meeting at the range of to has been found to be effective.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the turntable is formed with a pair of part-holding portions comprising a raised boss 60 and dished area 62. Inbetween these portions is disposed an upward integral yoke 64. The yoke (FIG. 2) is formed with a concave wall 64a which extends out beyond the yoke itself to present on either side a pair of resilient arms 66, 68. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the arms are free to yield being not connected to the base of the turntable at their distal ends and being disposed in cut-outs 70 and 72 in the turntable. Each of the arms 66, 68 terminates in an enlarged head 66a, 680 under which the lip of the snap fastener part may fit to be held during installation.

In the setting operation, the turntable 22 is put in the appropriate position so thateither the recess 62 for use with the cap C (FIG. 1), or'the boss 60 for use with the post P, is under the punch 18. The post or cap is then installed against the aligned recess or boss by being installed in snap installation under the heads 66a, 68a of the arms 66, 68, respectively. The appropriate snap fastener part, socket S, or head, is then installed in the holder 38, 40.

The setting tool is then forceably closed and the punch 18 engages the end of the barrel of the post P, or cap C, as the latter engages the fabric, thereby perforating the fabric. As the jaws are closed further, the edges of the pyramidal punch 18 slit the barrel of the post or cap uniformly so that six longitudinal segments of the barrel are thereby formed. These segments then engage the trough 44 and are clinched over to produce a set end which is uniform in appearance and securely fastens the snap fastener part to the fabric.

It should be clear that the integrally molded plastic platform 22 effectively holds the snap fastener parts during the setting process. Yet, at the same time, it provides a single unit not requiring the assembly of many parts as in earlier embodiments.

While the invention has been shown in but one embodiment, it will be apparent that it is not so limited but covers many variations, all within the scope of the appended claim language:

I claim:

1. In a snap fastener applier comprising a plier-like tool having a pair of opposing jaw elements, one of the jaw elements presenting a pyramidal punch directed toward the other of the jaw elements, the said other jaw element being provided with a turntable pivotally attached thereto, the improvement wherein the turntable has on either side of the pivotal attachment to the jaw element a pair of cooperant arcuate arms extending laterally of the turntable and integrally formed with the turntable of molded plastic, the arms of each pair being concentric and each of the arms having adjacent its distal end with respect to the turntable an enlarged nib, the arms being disposed partly in a cut-out in the turntable to permit substantial resilience of the arms, the arms being adapted to yield and embrace the head portion of various sizes of eyelets, with the head of the eyelet disposed underneath the nibs to secure it firmly against the turntable. 

1. In a snap fastener applier comprising a plier-like tool having a pair of opposing jaw elements, one of the jaw elements presenting a pyramidal punch directed toward the other of the jaw elements, the said other jaw element being provided with a turntable pivotally attached thereto, the improvement wherein the turntable has on either side of the pivotal attachment to the jaw element a pair of cooperant arcuate arms extending laterally of the turntable and integrally formed with the turntable of molded plastic, the arms of each pair being concentric and each of the arms having adjacent its distal end with respect to the turntable an enlarged nib, the arms being disposed partly in a cut-out in the turntable to peRmit substantial resilience of the arms, the arms being adapted to yield and embrace the head portion of various sizes of eyelets, with the head of the eyelet disposed underneath the nibs to secure it firmly against the turntable. 